Wrestling: Broomfield advances eight to Top of Rockies quarterfinals

Holy Family makes splash with four quarterfinalists in first go at prestigious tournament

By Elwood K. Shelton BoCoPreps.com

Posted:
01/25/2013 10:19:42 PM MST

LAFAYETTE -- Warrior, competitor, top contender -- earning an individual Top of the Rockies title speaks volumes about a wrestler. But what does a team title say?

From Connor Eakes' perspective, the statement of a squad able to endure the prestigious multi-state tournament's twist and turns is a bold one. And Broomfield's 220-pounder shared a little secret after escaping Friday's opening two rounds unscathed: The Class 4A second-ranked Eagles plan to be that team.

"We've been talking about bring the title back to Colorado," the senior said. "And I like where we're at right now in that process."

There should be little surprise at Eakes' optimism heading into Saturday's quarterfinals. The Eagles more than proved they are contenders in the tournament, keeping eight wrestlers alive in the championship brackets and finishing Friday in third-place as a team with 71 points. Defending tournament champion Grand Island (Neb.) leads after the first day with 86 points, and Thompson Valley is second at 78.

Even with a strong head start, Joe Pereira is not calling Broomfield's first Top of the Rockies title pinned by a long shot. The Eagles coach points out there is too much talent in the brackets to take anything for granted.

"And there is probably somebody else out there that I don't even know about," Pereira said.

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The coach is confident his team has put in the work to be in contention, pointing to the numerous tournaments around the country the Eagles have competed in this season. But Pereira hardly believes his wrestlers hunting down individual titles will be enough to reap a team championship.

"We still have five guys (in the consolations Friday) that need to do their work," the coach said.

The Eagles have plenty of work in front of them, but they proved plenty in Friday. The team came up with nine pins, three tech falls and three major decisions in the opening two rounds of the championship brackets.

Even with the potential to make a statement with a run at the tournament's title, the Eagles wrestlers believe there are bigger fish to fry.

"This will show us where we're at and a title would be great," Broomfield 106-pounder Darek Huff said. "But the main goal is always state."

While Broomfield was busy proving its regional mettle, another local team was in the process of making different kinds of ripples in the tournament. Holy Family might have entered the tournament overlooked, but has set up to make a name for itself.

Broomfield High School's Connor Eakes tries to pin Grand Junction Central High School's Andres Martinez in the 220-pound class during the Top of the Rockies wrestling tournament at Centaurus High School in Lafayette. Eakes won the match. For more photos of the matches go to www.dailycamera.com
(Jeremy Papasso/ Camera)

The first-year Top of the Rockies competitors pushed four wrestler to today's quarterfinals in convincing fashion. Each of the Tigers still shooting for titles won each of their matches via pin. One of the most dominating performances came from Julian Prieto.

The 126-pounder finished the day by pinning Rocky Mountain's Kyler Schmidt in 2:30, but the fall paled compared to how the sophomore started his day. Prieto devastated Mensah Ollowy, putting the Omaha (Neb.) North wrestler in the consolation brackets in 34 seconds.

"I was a pretty good day," he said. "I was a little sloppy with my shots, though."

If the Tigers continue to wrestle the way they did Friday, coach Joe Domko believes it could lead up to an impressive finish Saturday. And to Domko, that might be a coup for a team looking to take the next step.

"This tournament is a whole different level for us," he said. "We talk about being fortunate to have opportunities like this and letting the rest fall where it may. And things have fallen into place for us."

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